Australia gets its first E2 as Virgin’s Embraer E190-E2 arrives down under
September 3, 2025
Virgin Australia has become the first major Australian airline to operate the Embraer E190-E2, following the delivery of the aircraft from lessor Azorra at Embraer’s headquarters in São José dos Campos.
The 1,900th E-Jet joins Virgin Australia’s fleet
The new-generation 100-seat jet marks the beginning of Virgin Australia Regional Airlines’ (VARA) fleet renewal program. The aircraft named ‘Coral Bay’ has the distinction of being the 1,900th Embraer E-jet.
It offers embossed leather seating in a 2-2 configuration.
The E190-E2 will replace the carrier’s long-serving Fokker 100s on regional and resources industry routes in Western Australia.
Powered by Pratt & Whitney GTF engines, the aircraft offers fuel savings of up to 30% compared with the older Fokker fleet, reducing emissions and operating costs while offering improved performance in challenging climates.
Virgin Australia has eight E190-E2s on firm order, with three more scheduled for delivery later this year and into 2026.
Providing air service to Western Australia’s mining sector
Virgin Australia Regional Airlines (VARA) operates key services linking Western Australia’s resources sector and regional communities. Group Executive Nick Rohrlach said the E190-E2’s capabilities align closely with these mission requirements.
“Replacing our Fokker 100s with these next-generation jets allows us to better connect resources industry clients and regional communities across Western Australia with improved reliability, significantly reduced noise, and lower emissions,” says Rohrlach.
“These aircraft are perfectly designed for the challenging climates and environments we operate in, while offering our customers a spacious and comfortable in-flight experience.”
Expanding Embraer E-Jet footprint in Australia
The Embraer E-Jet family has logged 1,900 deliveries since 2004. Since its launch in 2018, the latest generation E-Jet E2 family has secured 306 orders and delivered 114 aircraft.
E190-E2 operators include KLM Cityhopper, Helvetic Airways, and Mexicana. The E190-E2 aircraft has earned a total of 67 firm orders as of mid-2025.
For Embraer, the partnership also reinforces the company’s role in Australia, where its earlier-generation E-Jets have been operated by regional carriers including Alliance Airlines, Airnorth, and Pionair.
“The delivery of the first E190-E2 to Virgin Australia, together with our leasing partner Azorra, is a significant milestone for Embraer’s evolution and growth in the region,” said Arjan Meijer, President and CEO of Embraer Commercial Aviation.
“With its exceptional efficiency, low noise and emissions profile, and enhanced passenger comfort, the E190-E2 will be a game-changing step up from the airline’s venerable Fokker fleet, perfectly complementing the airline’s larger narrowbodies.”
A report published by Chris Seymour, Head of Market Analysis at Cirium Ascend Consultancy, last year noted that VARA’s Embraer E190-E2 order reflects “a new turn in the Australian mining Fly-In Fly-Out (FIFO) market” for regional operators.
“The Australian market continues to provide opportunities for more E190s as Fokker 70/100 replacements, while the introduction of the E190-E2 may indicate a good long-term future for newer generation aircraft too,” Seymour wrote.
Virgin Australia: A milestone for Azorra
Azorra, a lessor headquartered in Fort Lauderdale with an office in Dublin, specialises in leasing, financing, fleet transition, and asset management for regional and narrowbody jets.
Currently, Azorra manages a fleet of 129 aircraft and 25 engines, with an additional 110 committed assets under lease to 41 operators across 34 countries.
In May, Azorra agreed to acquire aircraft portfolios from DAE, boosting its total fleet – including committed orders for Airbus A220‑100/300 and Embraer E190/195‑E2 aircraft – to over 225 assets overall.
“Welcoming Virgin Australia as a new customer marks a proud milestone for our team as we deliver the first E2 to be operated by a major airline group in Australia,” said John Evans, CEO and founder of Azorra. “The E190-E2 offers outstanding efficiency and reduced fuel burn, making it the ideal aircraft for Virgin Australia’s fleet modernisation program.”
